Network scanning

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for network scanning. For example, the systems and methods can address AP scanning in the WiFi-6 context, where AP scanning frequency and the number of 6 GHz channels can be reduced. Additionally, the timing of AP scanning (on 2.4/5/6 GHz channels) can be adjusted to wait until STA's buffered frames are sent to AP and/or while a STA is asleep due to time TWT.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An access point (AP), comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory unit including computer code that when executed causes the processor to:
 identify 6 Gigahertz (GHz) channels associated with neighboring APs; 
 order the 6 GHz channels of the neighboring APs based on activity level of the 6 GHz channels; 
 obtain buffer status of a Wi-Fi communication station (STA) associated to the AP; and 
 schedule scanning of one or more of identified 6 GHz channels with deference to the obtained buffer status of the STAs and in accordance with a scanning frequency dependent upon the order of the 6 GHz channels. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The access point (AP) of  claim 1 , wherein the 6 GHz channels associated with neighboring APs are identified from a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) Information Element (IE) that includes a neighbor AP's 6 GHz BSSID information. 
     
     
       3. The access point (AP) of  claim 2 , wherein the neighbor AP's 6 GHz BSSID information is extracted from beacon frames received in 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz frequency bands. 
     
     
       4. The access point (AP) of  claim 2 , wherein the computer code further causes the processor to:
 prior to scanning one or more of identified 6 GHz channels, preventing inclusion of the RNR IE that that includes the AP's 6 GHz BSSID information in corresponding 2.4 and 5 GHz beacon frames. 
 
     
     
       5. The access point (AP) of  claim 1 , wherein the obtained buffer status of the STAs associated to the AP is based on information in a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame. 
     
     
       6. The access point (AP) of  claim 1 , wherein the computer code further causes the processor to:
 defer a scan period to a subsequent beacon interval based on a likelihood that a client device associated to the AP is likely to send uplink data to the AP, wherein the likelihood is determined using buffer status information; and 
 stop the defer upon receiving the uplink data from the client device and initiation of the subsequent beacon interval. 
 
     
     
       7. The access point (AP) of  claim 1 , wherein the scanning frequency depends on a Target Wait Time (TWT) window of the STA being awake and able to transmit or receive data. 
     
     
       8. The access point (AP) of  claim 1 , wherein the AP uses individual Target Wait Time (TWT) or broadcast TWT mechanisms to align a scanning window of the APs to a power save state of the STA. 
     
     
       9. A computer-implemented method comprising:
 initiating a 2.4 or 5 Gigahertz (GHz) channel scanning process associated with neighboring APs; 
 receiving beacon and probe responses from the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channel scanning process; 
 determining that a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) Information Element (IE) is present for the neighboring APs in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz scanning process, wherein the RNR IE includes BSSID information of an AP of the neighboring APs for a channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; 
 extracting the BSSID information for the channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; and 
 updating a channel table with the BSSID information without scanning across all valid channels other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. 
 
     
     
       10. The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving a second beacon or probe response; 
 determining that the RNR IE is not present; and 
 ignoring the second beacon or probe response. 
 
     
     
       11. The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , wherein a second channel scanning process of the channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz is initiated off-channel. 
     
     
       12. The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , wherein the BSSID information is extracted from at least some of the beacon responses received in 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz frequency bands. 
     
     
       13. The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 obtaining a buffer status of an STA associated to the neighboring APs based on information in a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame. 
 
     
     
       14. The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 deferring a scan period to a subsequent beacon interval based on a likelihood that a client device associated to the AP of the neighboring APs is likely to send uplink data to the AP, wherein the likelihood is determined using buffer status information; and 
 stopping the defer upon receiving the uplink data from the client device and initiation of the subsequent beacon interval. 
 
     
     
       15. The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 considering a Target Wait Time (TWT) window of the STA being awake and able to transmit or receive data. 
 
     
     
       16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors, the plurality of instructions when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
 initiate a 2.4 or 5 Gigahertz (GHz) channel scanning process associated with neighboring APs; 
 receive beacon and probe responses from the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channel scanning process; 
 determine that a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) Information Element (IE) is present for the neighboring APs in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz scanning process, wherein the RNR IE includes BSSID information of an AP of the neighboring APs for a channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; 
 extract the BSSID information for the channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; and 
 update a channel table with the BSSID information without scanning across all valid channels other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. 
 
     
     
       17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
 receive a second beacon or probe response; 
 determine that the RNR IE is not present; and 
 ignore the second beacon or probe response. 
 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein a second channel scanning process of the channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz is initiated off-channel. 
     
     
       19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
 obtain a buffer status of an STA associated to the neighboring APs based on information in a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame. 
 
     
     
       20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
 defer a scan period to a subsequent beacon interval based on a likelihood that a client device associated to the AP of the neighboring APs is likely to send uplink data to the AP, wherein the likelihood is determined using buffer status information; and 
 stop the defer upon receiving the uplink data from the client device and initiation of the subsequent beacon interval.